Pau
d'arco

Pau d'arco is said to
be useful against HPV, cancer, diabetes, rheumatism, and ulcers,
as well as several other ailments.

Pau d'arco:
Known as lapacho colorado in Argentina and Paraguay and as ipe roxo in Brazil,
is a good example of the lure of the exotic. This South American native has
been used medicinally by several indigenous groups. There are several
species of Tabebuia, and most appear to be broad-leaved evergreen trees with
very hard wood that resists decay. It may be difficult to determine precisely
which species is being sold as pau d'arco tea. Pau d'arco has a
reputation for having been used by the Incas, although it is not native to the
high Andes.

It is said to be useful
against cancer, diabetes, rheumatism, and ulcers, as well as several other
ailments.

Antiviral herbs such as Pau d'arco can be used to treat HPV
(Human Papillomavirus):

While there are many antiviral herbs that can
be taken to both prevent and eliminate HPV, herbs that have been traditionally
used specifically for HPV are:
Garlic
(Allium sativum),
Lemon
Balm (Melissa officinalis), Thuja (Thuja occidentalis), Hyssop (Hyssopus
officinalis), and Pau d Arco (Tabebuia impetiginosa).

Of
these the antiviral herb Pau d Arco, also known as Lapacho, and Taheebo,
has actually been proven to both prevent and cure HPV with additional benefits
-- it is also antibacterial, anticancerous, anticandida, antifungal, and
antiparastic.

*Pau d Arco tea or tincture can be used daily as a
preventative whenever the chances for contracting HPV infections are high. Pau
d Arco taken as a boiled tea two or three times per day if infected with
HPV until the virus clears. Add 1 heaping teaspoonful of the bark to 8 ounces
of water to make one cup of the tea.

Readers of
The
People's Pharmacy Guide to Home and Herbal Remedies have reported success
in using it topically as a soak to cure fungus-ridden toenails. Extracts
have been used topically to treat Candida yeast infections. Overall,
however, the research on pau d'arco does not offer strong support for most of
the medicinal claims made for it.

The part of the tree used is
the inner bark, and the preparation made from it is sometimes termed taheebo.
Pau d'arco, or taheebo, contains a number of quinone compounds, including the
naphthoquinone lapachol and the anthraquinone tabebuin. These and related
compounds are assumed to be the active ingredients. La pachol has
antibacterial activity, and a related compound fights off fungus and
yeast. Lapachol has demonstrated activity against malaria, a property
that would certainly be useful for people in the areas where Tabebuia species
grow wild.

Research in the 1950s and
1960s indicated that taheebo extract and lapachol could slow the growth of
certain tumors. The National Cancer Institute subsequently tested lapachol for
anticancer activity in humans, with disappointing results. Some
practitioners report anecdotes of marvelous cancer cures, but the Brazilian
Cancer Society disavows its use. In human trials, it was difficult to
attain therapeutically active levels of lapachol with oral administration, and
when levels did get high enough, most people suffered serious adverse effects
such as nausea and vomiting.

Taheebo extract has
anti-inflammatory activity, at least in rats. Researchers have also found that
it helps animals resist ulcers. In laboratory studies on human blood
cells, lapachol had immunosuppressant effects at higher doses and
immunostimulant activity at low doses.

Use Pau d Arco extract
and follow directs given by manufacturer. Pau d Arco as a tea or as a
tincture taken a few times a week will promote a healthy immune system which in
turn helps prevent the onset of viral infections.

Special Precautions:
No serious side-effects have been reported. Do not use Pau d Arco if
you are pregnant. If presently taking any medications check herb/pharmaceutical
interactions before using this or any herb.

Pregnant women should not
take taheebo internally because there is no evidence of its safety, although it
can provoke adverse reactions. Pau d'arco should be discontinued before
surgery because of the danger of excessive bleeding.